Jade Software Delivers Gas Industry Registry

Jade Software Delivers New Zealand Gas Industry Registry

Christchurch, New Zealand, March 19, 2009 - Specialist technology services company Jade Software has created the New Zealand gas industry’s first customer registry and account reconciliation system.

The Gas Registry, developed on behalf of Wellington-based industry body Gas Industry Company (GIC), went live on 1 March. It establishes a central repository of data relating to all gas connections, including retailers, distributors and meter owners.  Designed to improve consumer choice by reducing barriers to switching suppliers, the Gas Registry also provides certainty for market participants during change-over, including reconciling gas accounts between retailers.

Switching, where a customer changes from one retailer to another, previously relied on an improvised industry-based arrangement. This, however, lacked enforceable timeframes. With the combination of the new Gas (Switching Arrangements) Rules 2008, which were approved and came into full effect in March 2008, and the automation that the new Gas Registry provides, GIC expects that the process of switching retailers will be now achieved more efficiently.  

Gas Industry Co Chief Executive Christine Southey says: ‘We are delighted that the Gas Registry is now live. Delivered on time and within budget, it further enhances efficiency in the New Zealand gas market.

“The Gas Registry provides choice for consumers and greater certainty for gas suppliers during the switching process. Its development involved a collaborative effort between GIC, Jade and the industry to ensure the functionality supported market participants’ business processes. The result is a high-performance system that is easy to use, cost-effective to operate, and that provides valuable data for the whole industry.”

Pre-Gas Registry switches were estimated by the industry at 1000 a month. Since 1 March, more than 5000 switch requests have been received, a significant portion of which were held back from mid-February, and Gas Industry Co expects average monthly figures of 3000. 

Gavin Mitchell, Head of Sales, Marketing and Channels at Jade Software says: “Jade has an extensive track record in designing and building registries, from whole industries such as gas and electricity, to customer and student databases for airlines and universities. The Gas Registry is the latest example of Jade’s powerful database technology being applied to manage complex data requirements while meeting unique industry characteristics.” 

There are currently about 250,000 installation control points (ICPs) representing dedicated customer connections across New Zealand’s gas network. Gas Industry Co owns the information, and Jade will   host and manage the web-enabled registry under contract for five years.

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